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The History of Manga: A Timeline

Manga, a popular form of Japanese comics, has a rich history that spans over several centuries. Here is a timeline of the history of manga:

  • 12th century: The earliest known form of manga, scrolls known as "Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga" or "Frolicking Animal Scrolls," are created in Japan. These scrolls depict anthropomorphic animals engaging in human-like activities.

  • 17th century: Ukiyo-e, a form of woodblock printing, becomes popular in Japan. This form of art is often used to depict scenes from everyday life and popular stories and legends.

  • 1814: The first manga-style illustrations appear in the book "Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs." This book was written by a German physician and is considered the first manga-style illustrations to be published in Europe.

  • 1867-1912: The Meiji era, during which Japan modernized and Westernized rapidly. This period saw an increase in the number of manga-style illustrations being produced, and the first manga magazine, Eshinbun Nipponchi, was published.

  • 1930s: The first full-length manga, "New Treasure Island," was published. This marked the beginning of the modern manga industry.

  • 1950s: The first shonen (boys) and shojo (girls) manga magazines were published, and these genres quickly became popular.

  • 1960s: The first anime adaptation of a manga series, "Astro Boy," was aired on Japanese television. This marked the beginning of the anime industry.

  • 1970s: The first seinen (adult) manga magazines were published, and these magazines often featured more mature themes and storylines.

  • 1980s: The first manga conventions were held in Japan, and the first international manga convention was held in San Francisco, California.

  • 1990s: The manga industry continued to grow in popularity, and many manga series were translated and distributed internationally.

  • 2000s: The popularity of manga and anime continued to grow around the world, and many manga series were adapted into anime, live-action films, and video games.

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